Almost half of Birmingham neighborhoods are at risk of making bad purchases, new analysis has revealed.

Statistics compiled by the Consumer Data Research Centre in Leeds show that 48 per cent of neighborhoods in the city have a high or very high level of “consumer vulnerability”.

That’s compared to only 22 per cent of neighborhoods in England falling under these categories.

Areas have a high or very high level of consumer vulnerability if they are predominantly made up of vulnerable pensioners (five per cent of Birmingham neighborhoods) or have a high proportion of people with poor English skills, lone parents, and those who are long term sick or disabled (43 per cent) .

Vulnerable consumers have a higher risk of making bad purchases, and are more susceptible to certain types of marketing.

The analysis shows that areas surrounding Birmingham city centre, such as Bordesley Green, Washwood Heath, Smethwick, Handsworth, and Aston, are likely to have a high level of consumer vulnerability, according to census demographic information.

That means people living in these areas may benefit from services like the Telephone Preference Service, which stops people receiving sales or marketing phone calls.

Some 27 per cent of neighborhoods in Birmingham were classed as being “On a Budget” - meaning they are fairly likely to make bad purchases.